SMART Growth is a 4-year capacity building program designed to ensure that grantee organizations benefit from sound management practices that effectively support their art and ensure their resilience through economic shifts, staff transitions, and evolving markets.

Friday, February 10, 2012

The Arts & Business Council is hosting an orientation on Wed, Feb 29 from 3:30 – 4:30pm at 70 East Lake Street, THIRD FLOOR conference room to clarify the role between CCT and A&BC. Please RVSP to Katie Kurcz at kkurcz@artsbiz-chicago.org by Wed, Feb 15. It will be an opportunity for A&BC to review our services that are available that may help you achieve your Year 1 proposal goals and develop next steps for Year 2.

Also, save the date for Mon, March 19 from 9:30 - 11:30am at CCT’s office (111 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1400). The aggregate results from the smARTscope assessment tool indicated this was a common lagging area for this cohort of organizations. The training will be led Brian Worrall, Director of the Annual Fund & Development Services at MCGAW YMCA. We will be sending out a quick survey to get your feedback on what would be the most valuable focus for this training. More details will be coming shortly.

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is asking residents, cultural organizations and community groups for their input in developing the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan. The plan will deliver a set of recommendations to support the arts and artists throughout the city, as well as enhance economic growth and Chicago's reputation as a global cultural destination.

Chicagoans can easily participate in shaping the plan and can submit their ideas through social media, town hall meetings and public forums. The plan will provide a list of recommendations and serve as a blueprint for the future of Chicago's arts and culture community. The strategies of the plan will also help implement key goals such as extending the arts into the neighborhoods.

Public engagement will play a key role. Town Hall meetings will be held in four locations beginning February 15 and continuing on February 16, 18 and 21. To participate in the conversation, attend one of the following meetings:

Wednesday, February 15: Columbia College from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 16: Nicholas Senn High School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 18: DuSable Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 21: National Museum of Mexican Art from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.